Buffalo Creek Primitives plans open house

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THE BUFFALO Creek Primitives shop on Belmont Street in Bellaire is slated to host an open house May 11-12.
Buffalo Creek Primitives plans open house May 11-12

BELLAIRE — A local gift shop is holding an open house and is inviting its loyal customers — and new patrons — to see what’s new.

Buffalo Creek Primitives, at 3287 Belmont St., Bellaire, is slated to host an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11-12, featuring door prizes, while supplies last, and free cookies, coffee and water.

The store’s owners, Pat and Bill Rice, said they have a variety of gifts and crafts for customers to purchase and enjoy themselves or to give to others during holidays, including the upcoming Mother’s Day observance on May 13.

“Our shop offers a variety of gifts and home decor items, in addition to military flags, firefighter and EMT flags, Crossroads candles and much more, said Pat Rice. “You will be surprised at the variety of decor our store has to offer.”

The shop also makes its own wax tarts, lighted lamp posts and other items at affordable prices.

“We have something for almost everyone,” said Rice. “We have done road craft shows from Main to Myrtle Beach. We still get calls from customers we served all over the East Coast. We enjoy meeting people and you will be treated just like family.”

Store hours have been extended for the open house. Their regular hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays. For details, call 740-827-1440.

The Brooke County natives ran a gift shop for 20 years in Virginia. Buffalo Creek Primitives is named after the area of Brooke County in which they were raised — Buffalo Creek.

The Rices have lived in St. Clairsville for the past several years. Before that, they lived in Roanoke, Virginia, where they owned and ran Smith Mountain Lake Gifts for 19 years. They originally moved to Virginia because of Bill Rice’s work, but the mortgage company he worked for closed that branch. At that time, instead of moving back to the Valley, they decided to stay put.

A few years ago, the couple decided to move back because Pat missed the region. They grew up together in the Wellsburg area. They closed their St. Clairsville shop location after Pat had health complications following heart surgery. After Pat got better, the couple decided to re-open after they noticed the shop space was available for rent in Bellaire. It is next to the former Riga’s restaurant building.